Fingerprinting apparatus



Oct. 26, 1937. J. SERES, JR 2,096,925

' FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1936 JOSEPH 5E/PESJ f/P.

Patented Oct. 26, 1937' UNITED STATES PATENT oF-F cE 2,096,925 V FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS .Joseph Seres, J12, Cleveland, Ohio Application February 25,1936, Serial No. 65,692

'18 Claims.

bottom of the finger tip. This method of inking the finger tips is very unsatisfactory because the slightest movement 'ofthe finger with respect to the inked surface will cause, the entrance of ink .into the depressionsbetween the lines of the finger to be reproduced, and the prints obtained from such improperly inked finger will be 'smudgy and will not suflice, for purposes of classification or identification. It istherefore quite often necessary to. repeat the inking process several times before clear prints are obtained; 7 .Another disadvantage of the present manner of inking thefinger tips is that .the same have to be rotated with respeetto the inked surface so :as to also. apply the ink to, the sides of the finger tips,.which is necessary to produce ,proper prints for identification purposes. Such turning of the ,fingers isjvery inconvenient for a person whose fingerprints are taken, and the possibility .of moving the finger with respectto the inked surface during such turning. operation is considerably increased, so that ink may be forced into the depressions between the lines of the finger as abovementioned, andthe results ob,- tained in. reproducing the lines upon a Bertillon card or the like will not be sufliciently clear for the above purpose. a t p H The present invention has been devised to overcome the above .difiiculties and. provides a mechanism for theinking of fingertips prepara tory tothe making of impressions therefrom, wherein the likelihood of movement of the finger with respect to the. ink carrying surface is substantiallyeliminated. V I

The present invention provides a finger inking apparatus comprising a flexiblemember upon which fingerprint ink is evenly applied sov that, when the finger tip is placed'uponthe flexible member and the same is depressed, the bottom as well as the sides of the finger tip will be properly inked without the necessity of turning the" finger with respect to the inking surface. e

Other and further objects ofthe invention willbecome apparent from the following ,de'scrip tion and drawing, inwhich- 55 Figure 1 is a front view of the g r i k shown ratus, similar to Figure 1, the flexiblegmember,

however, beingshown in depressed position.

Figure. 5 is a perspective. view of the finger inking apparatus .of the present invention.

Figures fi and? are views illustrating an ink supply mechanism which may be advantageous- ,ly used in connection withtheprese'nt invention.

Figure 8 shows a, modified structure of ink supply .mechanism. V .Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figures 1 and5, l indicates a housing or casing within which a -V-shaped frame member 2 is positioned and secured to. thebottom 3 of the housing bytheuse of any convenient fastening means 4. Adjacent the rearwall 5 of .the

housing I- isa, supporting plateJB which is secured to the saidhousing by means of'screws 1.

Interposed between the vl-shaped frame 2 and V the supporting plate 6 is a .plurality ofru'bber or composition rollers 8, 9, and I2. The rollers a, 9 and IZ'are mounted upon shafts l3 which are supported within holes or bearing portions 14 of a the V-shaped member 2 and platefiwAdjacent the rollers 8, 9 and I2 are rollers l5, l6 and I1, ,movably arranged within the V-shaped frame 2 and platefi and urged toward the rollers 8 9 1 and I2 by means of coil springs IS, l9 and,

The shaft 26 of roller l2 extends rearwardly of the plate 6 and is provided with a. beveled gear 21 keyed to the same and in operative engage-ment with a corresponding beveled gear' 2 8 keyed :to a turning or crank shaft129 Shaft'29 is rotatably mounted within the side wall la of the housing I and a bearing member 30, secured to the back wa1l'5 of the housing, is providedifor .is pressed downwardly in the direction indicated 'by thearrow in this figure, to a position as shown supporting the end of shaft 29 adjacent. the beveled gear 28.

The housing I is preferably provided with a front wall 3| provided with outwardly extending portions 32 for housing the end portions of the roller shafts extending forwardly of the V-shaped plate and springs |8, I9, and 20 so as to permit their free movement, as will be explained later on. A cover member 33 is secured to the housing I and is hinged thereto in such a manner as to permit access to the flexible or ink carrying member 25, for'purposes explained hereinafter.

From the above it will beseen that the flexible or ink carrying member is held in frictional contact with the rollers of the-inking apparatus of the present invention, and-upon rotation of crank shaft 29 and roller '|2, shifting of the endless flexible member 25 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 will be accomplished.

In the operationof the device, fingerprint ink is applied to the roller 9;'uponrotation of the crank shaft 29 the flexible member 25 is shifted in thedirection shown by the arrow in Figure l, and the fingerprint ink is evenly distributed over the outer surface of this member. The roller 9 therefore functions as an ink applicator which spreads the ink thinly over the surface of the flexible member. a

,pers'oriis 'placed upon the flexible member 25,

as clearly seen in Figure 5,'whereupon the finger in Figure 4, and the rollers l5 and I6 are thereby .forced downwardly and the flexible member 25.

folds around the finger 34 and applies the ink to the bottom and sides of the same, whereupon the properly inked finger is then removed from. the device by raising the same upwardly,'and impressions of the finger tip may now be taken in the usual manner. 7 V

The front plate 3| of the finger inking device isprovidedwitha V-shaped cut-out portion 3|a which conforms to the configuration of the frame ,2 so as to'permit the downward movement of the finger .as explained in regard to Figure 5. The impressions of the finger tips inked in the manner heretofore described may be taken with a device of a construction similar to that described herein. However, instead of the member '25, an impression member, preferably made from paper 'or like impression material, may be arranged between the composition rollers. In such instance of courseit would be necessary to have one apparatus for inking the finger tips and another apparatus with the impression reproducing member for the reproduction of the fingerprints.

It will be seen therefore that in this manner a perfect inking of the finger tips may be obtained extends substantially over the Width of the side wall la and into the compartment 38 betweenthe rear Wall 5 of the housing and plate 6, The exthe roller:9 and the member is then shifted to a position so that the extension 36 and wick 39a are within the compartment 38 and out of contact with roller 9. Upon rotation of the flexible member 25, ink will be applied from the roller 9 to the member 25 and will be evenly distributed thereonin the manner outlined above.

When the apparatus is out of use, the cover 33 is applied and entrance of dust to the ink.

carrying memberiseffectively prevented.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a novel inking apparatus which eliminates thedisadvantageous features of presentday devices used for the purposes mentioned hereinbefore, and which permits inking the fill ger tips of a person preparatory to taking impressions therefrom, in a very efficient manner,

and wherein the likelihood of smearing the ink into theridges between the lines of the fingers has been substantially eliminated.

Figure 8 shows a modified construction of ink supply mechanism as may be preferably used in connectionwith fingerprint ink of a paste-like consistency. 1 The tubular portion 4| through slot 31 of the casing into close prox imity with roller 9, and is held in proper position with respect to' the casing by washers 42 and 43 soldered or welded to the portion 4| in a manner clearly illustrated in Figure 8. member 4| is provided with a threaded portion 44 cooperating with athreaded portion 45 of the cup'member 46. When the supply mechanism is filled with ink and the cup 46 is screwed upon member 4|, the ink paste will be forced against a the roller 9. The ink supply mechanism.may be shifted out of contact with roller 9 in the same manner as described in connection with Figures Sand '7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters member, resiliently mounted spaced supporting means forthe flexible member, between which the flexible member is depressible, ink applying means associated with said flexible member, said flexible. member being movable away from the inking means when the former is depressed and means for shifting the flexible member and rotating said supporting and applying means to thereby transfer ink fromthe latter to the flexible member.

3. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inkextends The .mounted rollers and said rollers to thereby trans :fer" ink from one of said rollers to the endless member.

4. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking apparatus, comprising, in combination, an endless flexible member, means for supporting the flexible member, ink applying means'associated with'said' flexible member, instrumentalities for rotating said supporting means for shifting the flexible member and for transferring ink from the ink applying means to the latter, resilient means associated with the supporting means for permitting depression of the supporting means with the flexible member under the pressure of a finger placed thereupon andmeans for causing the supporting means tomove diagonally inward during such depression, to fold the flexible member around the sides of said finger, to thereby apply ink to the latter.

5. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking apparatus, comprising, in combination, a housing,

a V-shaped frame and a supporting plate within said housing, a plurality of rollers mounted between said plate and frame, a plurality of rollers vertically movable with respect to said frame and plate, a flexible ink carrying base supported between the first mentioned rollers and vertically movable rollers, resilient means for holding the flexible ink carrying member in frictional contact with the vertically movable rollers and said other rollers, and instrumentalities for shifting said base and for rotating the rollers for transferring ink from one of said first mentioned rollers to said base, whereby upon depression of said base against the action of the resilient means, by a finger placed upon the same, said flexible ink carrying base is folded around the bottom and side portion of said finger for transferring ink to the same.

6. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking device, comprising, in combination, a housing, a frame within said housing, a supporting plate within said housing, a plurality of stationary shafts mounted between said frame and plate, a roller on each of said shafts and rotatable thereon, a plurality of vertically movable shafts on said frame and plate, supporting rollers on said shafts, a flexible ink carrying member between said rollers and supporting rollers, means for urging said rollers, supporting rollers and flexible ink carrying member into frictional contact with respect to each other, and means for rotating one of said rollers to shift the flexible member and for causing rotation of the other rollers and supporting rollers for distributing ink applied to one of said rollers over the surface of said base.

7. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking device, comprising, in combination, an endless flexible member, means for supporting the flexible member including ink applying means, instrumentalities for rotating said supporting means for shifting the flexible member to thereby transfer ink from said applying means to said flexible member," and means longitudinally movable at will'into and out of operative relation to said ink applying means for respectively supplying ink and discontinuing the supply of ink to the latter.

8. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking device, comprising, in combination, a housing, a frame within said housing, a supporting plate within said housing, a plurality of stationary shafts mounted between said frame and plate, a roller on each of said shafts and rotatable thereon, a plurality of vertically movable shafts on said frame and plate, supporting rollers on said shafts, 4 a flexible ink carrying member between said rollers and supporting rollers, means for urging said rollers, supporting rollers and flexible ink carrying member into frictional contact with respectto each other, means for rotating one of said rollers to shift the flexible member, and for:

causing rotation of the other rollers and supporting rollers for distributing ink applied to one of said rollers over the surface of said base, and

means for supplying ink to one of said rollers.

9. In the art of fingerprinting, a finger inking apparatus, comprising, in combination, a

housing, a cover plate hinged to said housing, a I 1 frame and a supporting plate within said housing and spaced with respect to each other, a plurality of rollers rotatably arranged between said frame and plate, an endless flexible ink carrying member-in frictional engagement with said rollers and supported thereby, resilient means on some of said rollers for maintaining 'saidfrictional engagement and for holding said endless member taut, means for shifting said endless member and for rotating said'rollers, and instrumentalities for supplying ink to one of said rollers for transmitting the same upon said endless member.

10. In the art of fingerprinting, apparatus for effecting operations incidental to fingerprinting, comprising, in combination, a flexible member against which a finger may be pressed to thereby cause -a sort of folding action of the flexible member partly around the finger, spaced supporting means for said flexible member compris- L ing parts movable downwardly and toward each other and permitting the yielding of the flexible member between said supporting means to enable the said contact and folding action of the flexible member respecting the finger, and instrumentalities for shifting the flexible member to bring fresh portions thereof into place between the supporting means for receiving the pressure actions of fingers in the use of the apparatus.

11. In the art of fingerprinting, apparatus as claimed in claim 10, combined with applicator means for applying ink to the flexible member,

and parts coacting with the flexible member to distribute the ink thereover incident to the shifting movement thereof.

12. In the art of fingerprinting, apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible member is of endless form and passes around its supporting means to be shifted relatively to the latter as set forth.

13. In the art of fingerprinting, apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the shifting instrumentalities comprise actuating devices for the supporting means of the flexible member.

A. In the art of fingerprinting, apparatus for effecting operations incidental to fingerprinting, comprising, in combination, a flexible member against which a finger may be pressed to thereby cause a sort of folding action of the flexible member partly around the finger, spaced sup-porting the :flexible member respecting the finger; guide means for causing the supporting means to move' toward each' other during the downwardmovement, :instrumentalitieslforshifting .the flexible member to bring fresh portions thereof into place 7 between the supporting means for receiving the pressure actions of fingers in: the use of the apparatus, applicatormeans for applying in'kto the.

fiexible'member, .andsparts'coacting with the flexiblemember to distribute theink thereover incidentto the shifting movement thereof, the

said shifting instrumentalities' comprising an 7 said flexible memberi's passed and between'which' actuating device for the supporting means of the flexible member .to positively effect the shifting movement of the latterrto bring fresh portions of the flexible member into place for'depression by the 'finger and at the sametime cause distribu tion of ink over the surface of said flexible member. Y I

15. In finger movable spaced supporting means over which the inking member is depressible, and means for moving said supporting means toward each-other in said downward movement when the flexible member is depressed to effect awrapping of the flexible member about the sides of the flnger in inking operations. r V 16. In finger printing apparatus of the class printing apparatus of .the class described, a flexible inking member, downwardly describedsaiflexibleinking memberya pair of 511131 porting rolls therefor between-which the inking member is depressible, guide means constructed and arranged to permit downward and inward movement of the supporting rolls, and resilient means for sustainingthe rolls in their uppermost position. W .Y r r V;

- 17. In finger-printing apparatus of the class described, a flexibleinkingmember a'framaa' l V plurality of spaced supporting rolls mounted in said frame in substantially triangular relation,

said flexible member extending about said rolls, means yieldably holding certain o-f'said rolls, said frame having guide means in which the lastme'n- .tioned rolls are movably mounted for movement downwardly and toward each other; inking means associated with; the ;fiexible;member,' and means 7 for-shifting the flexible member at will when the supportingrolls are intheiruppennost position;

,"18. Inflnger printingapparatus' of the class described, the'combination of an endless flexible member, spaced supporting means for holding the ink applying reach of said memberin opervative position fordepression, separate means for V holding'the return reach of the fiexible'member spaced from the :first reach to permit substantial depression 'of' the. said first reach, said spaced i supporting means being yieldable downwardly with-the depression of the flexible member, and means for moving theyspaced supporting means in such downward movement'towardjeach other to. efiect a wrapping; of the flexible member about the sides ofthe finger in finger inking operations.

JOSEPH SERES, JR. 

